Water leaking on passenger side...

[vannaksao]

Hey guys,

2003 Pathy SE.

I'm not sure if I forgot to roll up my passenger window up one night or if I have a leak. My gf got into the car the other day and noticed the rug was soaked. I noticed that the there was a little bit of water sitting on the bolt that holds the corner plastic piece, just under the glove compartment. I've attached a picture, showing you where I saw a couple drops of water. Its a different cars interior, but you get the idea of the plastic piece I'm talkin about.

I'm not sure if anyone has had this problem as well, or if it's just my car. I dried up the rugs...and it happened AGAIN. I remember it raining for a little bit, so the rug was not completely soaked. At first, I was thinking it was left over wetness that I didn't soak up with a towel, but then i thought- it was WAY more wet than what I had remembered it to be.

Anyone else have this problem?

Actually, I guess I won't attach a pic. How the HELL do I attach a pic? Sorry, I don't feel like researching how to do it right now, can someone reply with the qick answer? LOL...Thanks!

Thanks,
Vannak

[Towncivilian]

You can upload an image to ImageShack.

[vannaksao]

Thanks Town,

Here's the link: http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/4230/nissan.png

Thanks again,

Vannak

[Chuck Tribolet]

Now, right now, before you drive the truck again, check the coolant level in the radiator. Why? See below

I see three possibilities:

1. A coolant leak around the heater core somewhere. It sounds like things have gotten wet enough that the radiator should be done down some. And was what you blotted up clear (or maybe just dirty) (not coolant)? or kinda greenish or reddish (coolant)? And was it watery (not coolant) or slippery (coolant)?

2. Condensation from the AC isn't dumping under the truck like it should be. There are a number of reasons for this: obstructed drain hose, iced up drain hose, ...

3. Rain water leak.

I think #2 is the most likely, but #1 is the immediate concern as it will lead to major engine damage in short order.

#2 can be eliminated by not running the AC for a few days. Keep the windows down a crack and park in the sun. Dress appropriately. If it dries out, make a nice long run with the AC on. If get's wet, it's the AC.

I remember a '70s 240-Z buddy, Rich, whose aftermarket AC would build up the damnedest block of ice after a long run.

[vannaksao]

Nope. None of the above. Except for straight WATER LEAK.

It has been raining for the past few days, night and day. My passenger side is soaked. There's about a 1/4 inch of water in some areas of the floor that are low. Has ANYONE had an issue like this?

To my knowledge, the car has not been in any accidents. The front right quarter, and side look perfect. However, I guess I'm going to have to take the panels off and get a better look. If I find that the car has been in an accident, would the dealership where I bought the car be liable to pay for any repairs?

Thanks,
Vannak

[vannaksao]

Found where its coming from! It's coming in from the corner of the dash. When you remove the corner piece held on by a small metal screw (door side), and the plastic screw (engine side)- you can see the water dripping (from the plastic piece above). Anyone see anything like this before?

Vannak

[Chuck Tribolet]

Has it been raining lately (or washed the truck lately)?
Have you been running the AC lately?


Chuck

[vannaksao]

No and No.

But yes, it has been raining lately. I will post pics when I get the chance. I'm going to simulate rain this weekend. Hose the car, from the top, with water and see exactly where its coming from. I'll keep you guys posted.

Just my car huh?? Damnit!

[Buzzman]

I had similar problems with my 2002, and I'm still not 100% sure where the leak came from.
It also appears to be more of a common problem than we care to think. We are not the only ones.
Here is the link to my original post from a few years ago. There have been other threads on this subject as well, so maybe you can search for those too. Good luck.

post2373828.html#p2373828

[Ubel Feuer]

Leaves in your AC intake, common problems with R50 according to Nissan.

[vannaksao]

Unless my A/C intake is to the left of my passenger side mirror, I really don't think that's the issue. I'll take a look though.

[2 Coupes]

If you have a sunroof. The draining system for the sunroof could be clogged causing the water to travel a path it's not supposed to. Or maybe something in the draining system has been disconnected or leaking.

[vannaksao]

I think I figured it out. I pulled up the rubber (weather strip) on the passenger side, and there is another metal weather strip piece that is held tight to the windshield- using 4 or 5 screws, from top to bottom. There was a missing screw on the lower end, and I think the water sneaking through, instead of flowing down towards the engine more. I found a screw that fit, and tightened the weather stip so it sit snug to the windshield. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Buzzman]

Can you post a pic of exactly where that is? Thx.

[vannaksao]

Sure. I'm at work right now, 8:15am EST. But when I get home today, after 5pm, I'll post pics of the inside area that I was talking about earlier, and then pics of the weather strip.

[vannaksao]

Didn't get a chance last night. Maybe at 12 EST today.

[vannaksao]

Ok. So, below is the link to a couple pics of where the water is entering, and where it is ending up. If anyone has a more logical explanation, please enlighten us.

http://s1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa3 ... er%20leak/

[vannaksao]

Water is back. Not as intense, but it's back. I think tightening the inner weatherstrip to the glass helped, but I think the plastic piece that snaps left to right at the bottom of the windshield is loose.

[linkhart]

I found that I need to do two things to stop the leaking in our 2001 pathfinder.
I clean the drain inside the right fender behind the wheel and also flush out the sunroof drains. I originally traced the leak from the sunroof into the interior of the fender where I found water build up. Cleaning out the build of leaves and other detritus cured our problems.
Every few months I flush the sunroof drains using a 1/4 inch hose that I feed into the sunroof drains. I then vacuum out the interior of the fenders at the bottom. I use a shop vac with a smaller hose to get inside the fenders from the door openings.
We have not had new leaking in a few years. Good Luck.

[phegi]

Annak,
I am having the same problem with the passenger side leaking. It doesn't rain that much in SoCal and we've been getting a lot rain so I've finally noticed it. My passenger side is SOAKED! I read your post about what to do. Did you determine if that was the fix? Any help would be great.

PS I don't have a sun roof.

Paula

[vannaksao]

Hello,

No, I havent figured it out yet. It hasnt really rained since- so without heavy rain there is no leak. It's snowing now, we'll see how that goes. Did you look at all the pictures I posted on leak?

[Ferrell]

Having the same problem w/ my QX 4. Vannaksao your pics are gone. Can you repost? Were you able to plug the leak?

[vannaksao]

Good Morning,

I'll try to re-post the pictures asap. Where do you think the water is coming from?

Thanks,
Vannak

[vannaksao]

Are you still having that problem? Sorry, I havent been around. Please let me know if you still need the pics.

[drnkirishm]

I have a leak but mine comes in behind the rear view mirror and also the top of the pillars on the head liner gets wet. I sealed the top of the windshield with clear silicone before the winter but it started again. I remove all the old and re apllied but no luck this time. I did clear the sunroof drains the first time though...

[vannaksao]

About a month ago, my windshield started cracking. GEICO, covered the replacement at 100% (YEYAAA!!), and my leak completely disappeared. The guy that replaced my windshield was awesome- he told me that the metal underneath the glass was all rusted. He had to sand it down before replacing it. Good chance the your windshield is not sealed right. I know it may cost a little bit of money, but save yourself from any further damage to your Pathy and get that thing replace. Also, the plastic trim that runs from end to end (left to right), at the bottom of the windshield (right below the wipers), is now completely sealed to the window. Before, when I had the leak problems, the area that was leaking- the plastic trim was not sealed. I could pull it up with my fingers. Blow out your sunroof drain tubes too- best way is to use a compressor and air blow it.

[mysoccermom]

Hi,

My husband and I bought 2008 Pathfinder a year ago and all of a sudden, on Labor Day weekend, we have the same problem you talked about in your posts on the nissan site. I 'Googled' the problem and your posts came up.

Have you found a fix? Any thoughts? My husband did work on cars for 15+ years and can't figure this one out, where the water is coming from - it's driving him nuts (me too!) My brother has done body work for 20+ years but is a little perplexed too. They are taking it to his shop next weekend and planning to pull the wind shield or something. Anything you've found out would be so appreciated.

I was so excited to see that we're not crazy. We're in Central NY and just want to get this taken care of before winter hits with all the slush, salt, sand, etc.

Thanks!! ~Jen & Bill

[vannaksao]

Jen & Bill,

Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, taking off the windshield would be a good idea. I had my windshield replaced and it solved the problem. The seal around the windshield that came off was bad. There was rust all around the frame of windshield, so you could tell water was getting through. There's a long plastic piece that runs from left to right, across the entire window too that was sealed properly during the replacement. Everything is good now.

Hope this helps,
Vannak

[mysoccermom]

Bill and my brother are going to take a peak this weekend and I'm sure this info will help a lot!!

Thanks so much and I'll let you know how it turns out ~~

Jen

[Bambritt]

I to have the water leak but on both sides in the floor board area. I have blown out the sunroof drains, I have consulted with a windshield technician and was told that the windshield is fine. He suggested that the drains at the bottom of the windshield cowling could be clogged. Does anyone know about those drains and where to find them? Is there a diagram of the drain in the FSM?
Thanks